Association of major depression with sexual dysfunction in men.

The effect of type and severity of depression on sexual functioning was examined before treatment in 591 men with Major Depression (MDD) or Atypical Depression, as determined by percentage of subjects meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) sexual dysfunction criteria (A and B only), and percentage with Derogatis Inventory of Sexual Function (DISF) scores greater than 1 standard deviation below normal. Sexual dysfunction rates were higher for MDD than for Atypical Depression. Depression affected DISF domains differently: orgasm was most impaired, whereas sexual desire was preserved. More severe depression resulted in greater sexual dysfunction.

The effect of major depression on sexual function in women.

INTRODUCTION: Eleven hundred eighty-four depressed women were entered into five short-term (8 weeks) studies of gepirone-extended release (ER) vs. placebo for treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) (134001, 134002, and 134017), or atypical depressive disorder (ADD) (134004 and 134006). The effect of depression on sexual function was examined prior to treatment. AIM: To determine the effect of depression on the prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) sexual dysfunction diagnoses and the Derogatis Inventory of Sexual Function (DISF) total score and domain scores and to measure the effect of severity of depression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), DSM-IV diagnoses, and DISF total and domain scores. METHODS: DSM-IV diagnoses--hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), sexual aversion disorder (SAD), female arousal disorder (FAD), and female orgasmic disorder (FOD)--were made by a trained psychiatrist. The HAMD-17 measured antidepressant efficacy. The DISF or its self-report version measured sexual function. To access the effect of severity of depression, baseline HAMD-17 scores were stratified as mild (<18), moderate (19-22), severe (23-25), or extreme (26-33). All measures were taken at baseline. RESULTS: In this depressed female population, prevalence rates were HSDD 17.7%, SAD 3.4%, FAD 5.8%, and FOD 7.7%. These rates for females are within the reported normal (nondepressed) values. However, DISF scores are one or more standard deviations below population norms for total score. DISF domains are not equally affected: orgasm is most impaired, while sexual desire and sexual arousal are somewhat preserved. Higher HAMD scores result in lower DISF scores (greater sexual dysfunction). CONCLUSIONS: In women, depression affects DISF scores more than DSM-IV diagnoses for sexual dysfunction. With increasing severity of depression (increased HAMD scores), sexual dysfunction becomes greater (lower DISF scores). For equal HAMD scores, DISF scores for MDD and ADD are the same.

The effect of gepirone-ER in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in depressed men.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Antidepressant medications especially the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may improve depressive symptoms but further decrease sexual function. Gepirone extended release (gepirone-ER) differs from the SSRIs in only affecting the 5-HT(1A) receptor and has demonstrated efficacy in treatment of depression and sexual dysfunction in depressed women. This report describes the effect of gepirone-ER on sexual function in depressed men. AIM: The aims of this article were to study the effects of gepirone-ER on sexual function in men with MDD and to determine if positive effects are independent of antidepressant or anxiolytic activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures of this article were Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-17), and changes in sexual functioning questionnaire (CSFQ). METHODS: In an 8-week study, gepirone-ER, placebo, or fluoxetine were administered in a double-blind fashion to 181 depressed men. The CSFQ results were used to determine quality of sexual function. To test for an antidepressant or anxiolytic effect, a 50% reduction in HAMD-17 score separated antidepressant responders from nonresponders, and item 12 of the HAMD scale (psychic anxiety) scores of 0 or 1 separated anxiolytic responders from nonresponders. RESULTS: Gepirone-ER treatment improved total sexual function compared with placebo measured by the CSFQ at weeks 4 (P=0.012) and 8 (P=0.046). At 4 weeks, almost every CSFQ domain is improved. The orgasm domain was especially improved, 67% by week 4. Gepirone-ER antidepressant and anxiolytic nonresponders showed significant improvement in sexual function. Fluoxetine treatment did not produce improvement. In fact, fluoxetine-treated subjects had lower scores on the total CSFQ, less than placebo, and significantly less than gepirone-ER. CONCLUSION: Gepirone-ER improves sexual dysfunction in depressed men. All domains of sexual function improved. Gepirone-ER has a pro-sexual effect independent of antidepressant or anxiolytic activity.

Gepirone-ER treatment of low sexual desire associated with depression in women as measured by the DeRogatis Inventory of Sexual Function (DISF) fantasy/cognition (desire) domain--a post hoc analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Gepirone-extended release (ER) is effective in treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), as measured by the percent of females with HSDD that no longer met criteria for HSDD treatment. Another approach is to determine treatment effect on sexual desire using a recognized rating scale for sexual function. Because gepirone-ER has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, investigation of these effects on sexual desire is appropriate. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether gepirone-ER has positive effects on sexual desire as measured by the DeRogatis Inventory of Sexual Function (DISF) in a post hoc analysis of 8- and 24-week studies and if this gepirone effect is independent of its antidepressant or anxiolytic activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures used for this study were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-25), change from baseline (CFB), and DISF CFB. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-four women selected for depressive symptoms, not sexual dysfunction, received gepirone-ER (40-80 mg/day) in a controlled study of atypical depression using the HAMD-25 to measure antidepressant efficacy and a DISF subscale (domain I) to measure sexual cognition/fantasy (desire). After treatment, a 50% reduction from baseline HAMD-25 score identified antidepressant responders. Item 12 of HAMD scale (psychic anxiety) was used to define anxiolytic response scores of 0, 1 as responders, and scores of 2, 3, and 4 as nonresponders. RESULTS: Gepirone-ER had no significant antidepressant or an anxiolytic effect in study 134006; however, DISF results demonstrate that gepirone-ER improves sexual desire in short term (P=0.043) and long term (P=0.006). Both gepirone-ER antidepressant and anxiolytic responders have statistically significant improved sexual desire. Gepirone-ER antidepressant and anxiolytic nonresponders also show statistically significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS: In depressed women, gepirone-ER has three mechanisms of action affecting sexual desire: an antidepressant effect, an anxiolytic effect, and a pro-sexual effect. Gepirone-ER improves sexual desire from the 24th to the 50th percentile according to population norms for the DISF.

Gepirone-ER treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) associated with depression in women.

INTRODUCTION: There is currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). FDA approval of products utilizing testosterone has been delayed due to possible safety concerns. Flibanserin, a 5-HT(1A) agonist, 5-HT(2) antagonist, and gepirone-ER, a 5-HT(1A) agonist, have been shown to have activity in treatment of HSDD. However, more recently, the FDA issued a non-approval letter for flibanserin. AIM: To study the effect of gepirone-ER on HSDD in women with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: At baseline and post-treatment visits, a trained psychiatrist made diagnoses of HSDD based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Subjects meeting criteria for HSDD were followed to observe the effect of gepirone-ER (20-80 mg/day), comparator antidepressants (fluoxetine, 20-40 mg/day or paroxetine, 10-40 mg/day), or placebo in reversing DSM-IV diagnosis. A subpopulation of women with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) entry scores of 18 or less was evaluated. Adverse events (AEs) of sexual dysfunction were also collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Number (%) of patients who no longer met criteria for HSDD (percent resolved). RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-five women (18-64 years of age, average 38 years old, ∼80% premenopausal) entered three studies; 668 (72.5%) completed. Only 161 (18.4%) met DSM-IV criteria for HSDD. Cumulatively, 63% of gepirone-ER-treated patients reversed their diagnosis of HSDD compared to 40% of placebo-treated patients at end point (8 weeks) (P = 0.007). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-treated patients were not different from placebo. Significant results for gepirone-ER occurred by week 2 (P = 0.0001). Patients who were mildly depressed (HAMD scores of 18 or less) also improved at week 2 (P = 0.01) and week 8 (P = 0.07). Sexual dysfunction AEs were significantly less in gepirone-ER-treated patients than placebo (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Gepirone-ER may have efficacy in the treatment of HSDD among depressed and possibly nondepressed women. Efficacy occurs by week 2, and does not seem to be purely an antidepressant effect.

Effects of food on the bioavailability of gepirone from extended-release tablets in humans: results of two open-label crossover studies.

BACKGROUND: The new antidepressant gepirone acts preferentially on 5-hydroxytryptamine type 1A (5-HT1A) receptors and functions as a 5-HT1A agonist. Placebo-controlled clinical studies have established that gepirone has a good safety profile and is effective for the treatment of depression. A previous study showed that administration of gepirone immediate release 15 minutes after a meal instead of during a fast increased the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) by 37%. Gepirone was reformulated into extended release (ER), which necessitated further exploration of the effects of food on bioavailability. OBJECTIVE: This article describes 2 studies of the pharmacokinetic properties of gepirone ER and 1 of its metabolites, 1(2-pyrimidinyl)-piperazine (1-PP), in healthy subjects. In study 1, we assessed the effects of food and the influence of time of food intake relative to dosing on the bioavailability of gepirone ER. The objective of study 2 was to confirm that gepirone ER has similar pharmacokinetic characteristics under fed and fasting conditions. METHODS: Two open-label, randomized, single-dose, crossover studies balanced for first-order residual effects were conducted to assess the bioavailability of gepirone from ER tablets. Healthy male subjects received a 20-mg oral dose of gepirone ER. In study 1, subjects took the gepirone ER dose after a 10-hour overnight fast or 1 hour before, 15 minutes after, or 2 hours after a standard high-fat meal. In study 2, subjects either took the gepirone ER dose after a 10-hour overnight fast and continued to fast for 4 more hours or took the gepirone ER dose 15 minutes after a standard high-fat meal. RESULTS: Twenty-eight men (mean [SD] age, 27.2 [6.6] years) participated in study 1, and 27 men (mean [SD] age, 31.8 [9.6] years) participated in study 2. In study 1, the mean (SD) maximum peak plasma concentration (Cmax) for gepirone ER was 69.2% higher (3.25 [1.71] vs 1.92 [0.96] ng/mL) (P≤0.05) and the AUC from time 0 to 30 hours for gepirone ER was 31.9% higher (39.3 [20.6] vs 29.8 [15.3] ng/mL·h) (P≤0.05) for the 15-minute postprandial dose than for the fasting dose, respectively. In study 2, the mean Cmax for gepirone was 62.0% higher (4.13 vs 2.55 ng/mL) and the mean AUC from time 0 to infinity for gepirone was 24% higher (38.71 vs 31.14 ng/mL·h) for the postprandial dose than for the fasting dose (P<0.05). All reported adverse effects were mild to moderate in intensity, and most (study 1) or all (study 2) occurred during the fasting state. CONCLUSIONS: When administered with food, the bioavailability (AUC and Cmax) of gepirone ER was greater than during the fasting state, with the greatest bioavailability seen when the drug was taken 15 minutes after eating. Based on this pharmacokinetic analysis, it may be prudent to administer gepirone ER consistently, either always with or always without food.